Reply to Thread

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name (usually not your first and last name), your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Automatically embed media (requires automatic parsing of links in text to be on).

Automatically retrieve titles from external links

Topic Review (Newest First)

08-05-2014 03:01 PM

Disturbed1

I am not able to post here as often as I would like, but I have done more work on the 330, and just need to finish plumbing and wiring. I can actually crank it over right now, just to hear it turn.

10-05-2011 04:29 PM

Mojo56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disturbed1

Yes, it's me!
Still don't have the motor complete, or car done. But We just bought a new house, 2 car attached garage, 4 car detached garage, and I have been working on it like crazy. 307 and tranny ready to pull, then I can go get all my motor and goodies from the friends house. I didn't have room where I lived previously for doing anything (apartment) so he has had it stored for me. Hopefully in the next few months, she will be going. Have a 71 455 and THM 400 I picked up cheap a year ago, as well. It's sitting in the detached, ready for a tear-down, and another project to go into.

It took me 40 years to get my own shop...bigger than my house but still too small...

10-05-2011 12:28 PM

Disturbed1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo56

Hey... here's the guy that started this old thread!

I'm pretty sure it IS a 330... one Olds FAQ page said the block was an early 425 (?)...the question mark was theirs not mine...it's NOT a 425.

Yes, it's me!
Still don't have the motor complete, or car done. But We just bought a new house, 2 car attached garage, 4 car detached garage, and I have been working on it like crazy. 307 and tranny ready to pull, then I can go get all my motor and goodies from the friends house. I didn't have room where I lived previously for doing anything (apartment) so he has had it stored for me. Hopefully in the next few months, she will be going. Have a 71 455 and THM 400 I picked up cheap a year ago, as well. It's sitting in the detached, ready for a tear-down, and another project to go into.

10-05-2011 12:23 PM

Mojo56

I may pull it down next weekend... will be interesting to see what the problem is. there IS some rust on the top end from moisture... so the head gassket problem is probably accurate.

09-28-2011 12:46 PM

joe_padavano

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo56

The block number is 381917...early 425? Back to the shop...

Update...

Nope..too narrow at the top of the block...the heads are 66-67 low compression..W 546091 L...that much I have figured out.

So it points to a 66/67 low compression small block engine that has gained a 4 barrel intake and a TH400.... funny how that happens.

All the 330 heads have the same 64-ish CC chambers. There are no "low compression" heads. The CR was varied with different size piston dishes.

09-27-2011 06:52 PM

52fatness

I had High compression 330 in '67 cutlass. Before I pulled it apart for rebuild it would still burn the tires and believe it or not had several broken rings. Fun rebuild, fun motor and I removed the cushions from the Super Turbine 300

09-27-2011 04:16 PM

Mojo56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disturbed1

That is the number on my 66 330.....381917

Hey... here's the guy that started this old thread!

I'm pretty sure it IS a 330... one Olds FAQ page said the block was an early 425 (?)...the question mark was theirs not mine...it's NOT a 425.

09-27-2011 04:04 PM

Disturbed1

That is the number on my 66 330.....381917

09-27-2011 03:53 PM

Mojo56

The block number is 381917...early 425? Back to the shop...

Update...

Nope..too narrow at the top of the block...the heads are 66-67 low compression..W 546091 L...that much I have figured out.

So it points to a 66/67 low compression small block engine that has gained a 4 barrel intake and a TH400.... funny how that happens.

09-27-2011 02:08 PM

Mojo56

Update...

I pulled a valve cover and it has the later stud mounted rockers so it's NOT a '64...

Still looking for part #'s on the block and heads.

09-27-2011 01:47 PM

Mojo56

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Are you sure it's a 1964 motor? The 64-65 330s only came with the Rochester 4GC square bore carb. The 66-67 motors came with Qjets. No 330 was ever factory bolted to a TH400; they only came with the Super Turbine 300 2 speed AT (which is NOT a Powerglide, by the way). Also, if it's really a 1964 motor, it has the one-year-only no. 1 casting heads that use the oddball shaft rockers. Parts for this valvetrain are nearly non-existent.

The PO, whom I trust, said it came from a '64 Cutlass. I know the trans is not original because the driveshaft has been shortened... probably came from a full size 88.

If it is a '64 I'm not worried about parts availability.... I'm just goin to replace the head gaskets and bolt it back together. The carb is an interesting question... maybe it's a later intake on an early engine.

Time to get some #'s and do some research I guess.

09-27-2011 11:33 AM

joe_padavano

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo56

I know I'm digging up a very old post but I picked up a '64 330 engine today for my '52 Pontiac project..

The engine has a blown head gasket according to the PO... he picked it up for a transplant into a Cutlass he owned but sold the car after he got laid off (familair tune these days).

He pulled the engine/trans from a running, but wrecked, Cutlass...said it ran and drove fine (2 years ago)... anybody aware of any known problems with head gaskets on this engine? Any tips or recommendations? I plan on keeping it stock...it now has a Carter AFB on it but I also got the original Q-jet with it and a good TH400... all for $150.0.

Are you sure it's a 1964 motor? The 64-65 330s only came with the Rochester 4GC square bore carb. The 66-67 motors came with Qjets. No 330 was ever factory bolted to a TH400; they only came with the Super Turbine 300 2 speed AT (which is NOT a Powerglide, by the way). Also, if it's really a 1964 motor, it has the one-year-only no. 1 casting heads that use the oddball shaft rockers. Parts for this valvetrain are nearly non-existent.

09-26-2011 12:20 AM

Mojo56

I was pleased to find so much info here and from Fat Hack on the HAMB, too.

I really wanted an early Caddy for the Pontiac but this was too good to pass up...plus it will free up some funds for a dirt track car my son and I want to buy...

Here's a fuzzy pic of the engine...

And the TH400...

09-25-2011 09:23 PM

willowbilly3

wow, there is some great knowledge here on those engines. I have owned some Olds and a couple 330s. I had a 64 Cutlass with the 290 horse and 4 speed. It would beat any of the 295-300 horse chevys around, although it couldn't touch a 340 mopar. The valve springs seemed real weak and Olds are known for some oiling and valve train problems that need taken care of. I've always heard the 330 block had a higher nickel content than other engines in the same family. I've also read that the 69-70 350 heads flow real good, later ones need the smog bump ground out of the exhaust

09-25-2011 07:49 PM

MXrider13

I don't know anything about the Olds 330 but since its not as common of an Engine I would love to see a build of one

This thread has more than 15 replies.
Click here to review the whole thread.